​"Wills Week" promotes awareness about Leaving a Legacy

   The Beckley Area Foundation is a member of the Leave A Legacy of Central Appalachia organization. This program is a collaborative effort among local non-profit organizations, foundations and estate planning professionals to encourage people from all walks of life to make charitable gifts, large or small, through their estate plans. 
   One "Leave a Legacy" initiative is the promotion of "Wills Week" during October aimed to create awareness about the need to have a will and the importance of giving to charity. 
   You can leave money to your family and to your favorite charity through a will. Some people think they must choose between these two options; however, you can do both. 
   Make sure you have an up-to-date will or living trust that adequately reflects your charitable objectives. Without these documents, you surrender control of your property and assets to the courts. Contact a financial planner, lawyer or accountant and ask for help in establishing a charitable gift. Consider gifts of real estate, personal property or stocks as well as cash. Other options include making one or more of your favorite charities the beneficiary of your life insurance, pension plan or IRA.
   Imagine how much could be done if each one of us remembered a favorite charity in our will or estate plan. The impact would be immeasurable. 
   BAF has received 58 testamentary gifts totaling over $8 million benefiting diverse local charitable organizations including animal shelters, YMCA of Southern WV, Children's Home Society, Mac's Toy Fund, Helping Hands Resource Center, Hospice of Southern WV, Salvation Army, Women's Resource Center, Fuller Center, American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, Beckley Concert Association, area libraries, several churches and BAF discretionary funds used to respond to the Annual Community Grant program. 
   In each instance, these gifts will make a difference in the lives that follow.  Donations made through the Beckley Area Foundation are placed in permanent endowments that generate income year after year for the charitable purpose defined by the donor.  The permanent endowment can be named for the donor or donor family thus serving as a lasting memorial. 
   Testamentary gifts may also be directed to one or more specific charitable organizations, and the assets used for current needs. 
   Contact Beckley Area Foundation at 304-253-3806 or email dena@bafwv.org for more information about leaving your legacy.  

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